Swiss architects Forschungs + Architekturbüro AG have made some lucky cows very happy with a stunning new barn outside of Basel. The architects used natural materials from the surrounding area to create the light-filled structure. The walls are made from tree trunks and long sticks, while the roof is covered with a thick carpet of green grass.

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Forschungs + Architekturbüro AG, cow barn, barn design, barn renovation, stick structures, natural building materials, green building materials, sustainable building materials, cow bard design, green roof, grass-topped roof, green design, agriculture, basel barn, swiss architecture

The 2,000-square-meter cow barn is built on a sloped hillside that made construction a bit challenging. The architects decided to make the shape of the barn mimic the surrounding topography, embedding it into the landscape.

Forschungs + Architekturbüro AG, cow barn, barn design, barn renovation, stick structures, natural building materials, green building materials, sustainable building materials, cow bard design, green roof, grass-topped roof, green design, agriculture, basel barn, swiss architecture

Related: Architects transform an old hay barn into a stunning minimalist home

The tree trunks and large sticks that make up the structure’s walls are embedded in a rectangular concrete base. This design strategy has many benefits – the materials could be sourced locally, and the walls let natural light into structure, creating a healthy environment for the beauteous bovines.

Forschungs + Architekturbüro AG, cow barn, barn design, barn renovation, stick structures, natural building materials, green building materials, sustainable building materials, cow bard design, green roof, grass-topped roof, green design, agriculture, basel barn, swiss architecture

An elongated green roof further fuses the design into the lush, grassy landscape. Two large vertical milk silos jut out from the structure, giving a bold nod to the building’s industrial purpose.

+ Forschungs + Architekturbüro AG

Via Archdaily

Photography by Christian Baur and Serge Hasenböhler

Forschungs + Architekturbüro AG, cow barn, barn design, barn renovation, stick structures, natural building materials, green building materials, sustainable building materials, cow bard design, green roof, grass-topped roof, green design, agriculture, basel barn, swiss architecture

Forschungs + Architekturbüro AG, cow barn, barn design, barn renovation, stick structures, natural building materials, green building materials, sustainable building materials, cow bard design, green roof, grass-topped roof, green design, agriculture, basel barn, swiss architecture

Forschungs + Architekturbüro AG, cow barn, barn design, barn renovation, stick structures, natural building materials, green building materials, sustainable building materials, cow bard design, green roof, grass-topped roof, green design, agriculture, basel barn, swiss architecture

Forschungs + Architekturbüro AG, cow barn, barn design, barn renovation, stick structures, natural building materials, green building materials, sustainable building materials, cow bard design, green roof, grass-topped roof, green design, agriculture, basel barn, swiss architecture